Question

All of these words mean the location relation of 'nearby'. But what's the exactly different meaning of them?

For an example, when I say 'A cat is near/next to/by a dog'. Is there any different meaning of these three sentences?

Answer 1

• A cat is near a dog (meaning: close)
• A cat is next to a dog (exactly in the dog side)
• A cat is by a dog ?? i dont think you can use it!!

The cat is made by a dog? haha it doesn't make any sense in this case

Answer 2

but can you say? The cat is near the river. The cat is next to the river. The cat is by the river. ?

Answer 3

CAN YOU TELL ME THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 3, EVEN IF THEY SLIGHTLY DIFFER IN MEANING

Answer 4

"He stands next to me" means there is no one in between him and me. "He stands near me" means he stands close to me, but there could be someone in between. By means near; at the side of; close to. "He stands by me". In the song, "stand by me" means stand at my side.